New Art Exhibit Explores Polar Transformations

Artists Michele Banks, Jessica Beels and Ellyn Weiss discuss their new exhibition and the relationship between scientists and artists. | AAAS/Carla Schaffer

A new AAAS exhibition takes gallery visitors on an imaginary journey to a polar region transforming in response to climate change. Voyage of Discovery, which opened at the AAAS Art Gallery[4] on 21 January, follows a line of receding ice into the darkness of the unknown and reveals what lies below.

The journey is not strictly based on scientific fact but showcases an artistic interpretation of the damage caused by climate change. The exhibition, created specially for AAAS, is a collaboration by Washington, D.C. artists Michele Banks, Jessica Beels and Ellyn Weiss.

Together the artists determined the theme and fabricated large pieces of the exhibition at Weiss' studio. Each artist also created pieces individually using a wide range of media to illustrate and add detail to the polar journey. The exhibit continues through 31 May.